Creative practice | Jewelry making & bringing magic to your everyday
Part of my 2025 resolutions was investing in a creative practice. In my favorite finds of 2024 post I referred to the importance of having a creative practice as a transformative tool. One of my resolutions for the new year was investing time in creative projects. Work, studying, household chores and errands require structure, repetition, planning and logical thinking. Art, play, creation and innovation require imaginative, creative thinking and lots of practice & time. Time investment is necessary to cultivate this side of yourself. For some this side is such a natural state of mind and being in the world - they cannot not be this, do this, it is a necessary undeniable part of their existence. For others, it requires clear intention and deliberate action. Even though a creative spirit at heart, realistically I am more part of the last group. I had to make time and make no compromises about that time. This can be hard if you get pulled in different directions, but I am convinced that if you invest in your creative side, it will pay itself forward in both expected ánd unexpected ways. 
Moodboard - Creative Practice 2025
This year I started following jewelry making classes at goldsmith Antje Haumann’s atelier in Bussum. She offers different kinds of classes / workshops and I, for the most part, went on Friday mornings. Her atelier has all the fancy equipment you could dream of and her expertise and knowledge will make sure you get a high level of education when it comes to jewelry making and working with different kinds of metal. She truly supports the designs of her students, but is also straightforward about what is and isn’t possible within the framework of her classes. I have many many things to learn which is very exciting and quite daunting at the same time (I have gained even more respect for goldsmiths and jewelry makers). This time I worked with silver and bronze, and created a bronze pendant with a ruby stone for a necklace, and a silver ring with an agate stone:
Antje’s design atelier. Silver and bronze pendant. VERA Juju drawings. Moodboard images by Iris van Herpen (Kunsthal exposition, 2025).
If I look back I could have been more deliberate in coming up with a design. I created something while doing and it turned out well, but a well thought out design is crucial if you want to level up. Here are some of my favorite jewelry design stores:ABOAB they are based in New York and a great option for modern, simple and elegant designs.Alexis Bittar is another NYC based brand with wonderfully creative and unique designs.Corali a brand rooted in sustainabilty and craftsmanship and with stunning earrings!Juju Vera this brand is a dream and their collars are gorgeous - they remind me of the ones worn by women in my family, I never found anything like that anywhere.Begoldish this is a spiritual and sensual dreamscape, with magical designs that hug every inch of your body.By1Oak a contemporary, city-life inspired brand, based in Amsterdam with handmade designs in Bali.
Find them pictured below with a sprinkle of Roland Barthes’ A lover’s discourse.
What I noticed is that investing intently in creative work, imaginative thinking and playfulness contributed greatly to my ability to experience moments of pleasure and excitement even in my daily life. Getting lost in something is also a great antidote to the constant stream of information coming our way. Make no mistake, getting lost is not meant to imply losing focus. Working with metals requires a lot of focus, but it makes you forget all other things outside of that practice. I now understand even more how important this is for me, for my mind. I will continue to invest and pour more and more into this side of myself. It also helped me understand what I admire so greatly in certain people. People that live in deep connection with their creative side make up for the most interesting and inspiring people to be around. In that sense art and aesthetics are not only avenues for newness, transformation, but also practices in self actualization and fulfillment.What is your creative practice? What would you like to practice creatively? I hope I inspired you in some way and will keep you posted on my creative endeavors XOX Jackie.